The Baule are one of the Akan peoples. They moved west to the Ivory Coast
more than 200 years ago and adpted masking traditions from their neighbors,
the Guro, Senufo and Yaure peoples. There are four basic types used in a
special dance of rejoicing called Goli, symbolizing the social order, Kplekple,
the junior male, Goli Glin, the senior male, Kpan Pre, the
junior female ans Kpan, the senior female. This second type, a Goli
Glin mask, representing the Senior male, is aqggressively complex and
three-dimensionall. It has a strong, older nature spirit and takes the form
of a bushcow, antelope and crocodile combination. They were painted red,
symbolizing blood, danger and aggression. Women and children were not allowed
to look at them closely.